Bacteria-and fiber-containing composition for human gastrointestinal health

Abstract

A composition for promoting gastrointestinal health contains an effective amount of a beneficial human intestinal microorganism and an effective amount of dietary fiber. Preferably, the dietary fiber is a member selected from the group consisting of pentosans, beta-glucans, pectins and pectic polysaccharides, mannans, arabinans and galactans, fructo-oligosaccharides, and mixtures thereof. The bacteria- and fiber-containing composition can optionally contain one or more of an immunoglobulin composition containing concentrated immunologically active immunoglobulins, components of a non-immune defense system, an iron-sequestering molecule, and gluconic acid. Preferred beneficial human intestinal microorganisms include lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Methods of use are also described.

We claim:  
     
       1. A bacteria- and fiber-containing composition for promoting gastrointestinal health comprising: 
       (a) an effective amount of beneficial human intestinal microorganisms; and  
       (b) an effective amount of dietary fiber.  
     
     
       2. The composition of claim  1  wherein said dietary fiber is a member selected from the group consisting of pentosans, β-glucans, pectins and pectic polysaccharides, mannans, arabinans and galactans, fructo-oligosaccharides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim  2  wherein said mannans are members selected from the group consisting of guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac, xanthan gum, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim  2  wherein said arabinans and galactans are larch arabinogalactans. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim  2  wherein said fructo-oligosaccharides are selected from the group consisting of inulin, soy fructo-oligosaccharides, banana fiber, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim  1  wherein said beneficial human intestinal microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim  6  wherein said beneficial human intestinal microorganisms are lactobacilli. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim  7  wherein said lactobacilli are selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus salivaroes, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus leichmannii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus cellobiosus,  and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       9. The composition of claim  8  wherein said lactobacilli are  Lactobacillus acidophilus.    
     
     
       10. The composition of claim  9  wherein said  Lactobacillus acidophilus  is strain NCFM. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim  6  wherein said beneficial human intestinal microorganisms are bifidobacteria. 
     
     
       12. The composition of claim  11  wherein said bifidobacteria are selected from the group consisting of  Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium bifdum,  and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       13. The composition of claim  12  wherein said bifidobacteria are  Bifidobacterium adolescentis.    
     
     
       14. The composition of claim  1  further comprising an effective amount of an immunoglobulin composition comprising concentrated immunologically active immunoglobulins. 
     
     
       15. The composition of claim  14  wherein said immunoglobulin composition further comprises a carrier. 
     
     
       16. The composition of claim  15  wherein said carrier comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a carbohydrate and a lipid, wherein said carbohydrate is capable of being an energy source for said beneficial human intestinal microorganism and said lipid aids in reconstitution of said immunoglobulin composition. 
     
     
       17. The composition of claim  16  wherein said carbohydrate comprises maltodextrin and said lipid comprises lecithin. 
     
     
       18. The composition of claim  17  wherein said immunoglobulin composition is purified from a source selected from the group consisting of milk, milk products, and whey. 
     
     
       19. The composition of claim  18  wherein said source is bovine. 
     
     
       20. The composition of claim  14  wherein the effective amount of the beneficial human intestinal microorganisms is about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, the effective amount of soluble dietary fiber is about 40% to about 60% by weight, and the effective amount of immunoglobulin composition is about 40% to about 60% by weight. 
     
     
       21. The composition of claim  1  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.1000% of lactoferrin and about 0 to about 10% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid, its nutritionally acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       22. The composition of claim  14  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.1000% of lactoferrin and about 0 to about 10% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid, its nutritionally acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       23. The composition of claim  22  comprising about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid, its nutritionally acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       24. The composition of claim  1  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       25. The composition of claim  14  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       26. The composition of claim  21  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       27. The composition of claim  22  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       28. The composition of claim  23  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       29. The composition of claim  28  comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       30. A method of restoring and maintaining gastrointestinal health comprising the step of orally administering a bacteria- and fiber-containing composition comprising: 
       (a) an effective amount of beneficial human intestinal microorganisms; and  
       (b) an effective amount of dietary fiber.  
     
     
       31. The method of claim  30  wherein said dietary fiber is a member selected from the group consisting of pentosans, β-glucans, pectins and pectic polysaccharides, mannans, arabinans and galactans, fructo-oligosaccharides, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim  31  wherein said mannans are members selected from the group consisting of guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac, xanthan gum, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       33. The method of claim  31  wherein said arabinans and galactans are larch arabinogalactans. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim  31  wherein said fructo-oligosaccharides are selected from the group consisting of inulin, soy fructo-oligosaccharides, banana fiber, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim  30  wherein said beneficial human intestinal microorganisms are selected from the group consisting of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim  35  wherein said beneficial human intestinal microorganisms are lactobacilli. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim  36  wherein said lactobacilli are selected from the group consisting of  Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus salivaroes, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus leichmannii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus cellobiosus,  and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim  37  wherein said lactobacilli are  Lactobacillus acidophilus.    
     
     
       39. The method of claim  38  wherein said  Lactobacillus acidophilus  is strain NCFM. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim  35  wherein said beneficial human intestinal microorganisms are bifidobacteria. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim  40  wherein said bifidobacteria are selected from the group consisting of  Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium bifidum,  and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim  41  wherein said bifidobacteria are  Bifidobacterium adolescentis.    
     
     
       43. The method of claim  30  further comprising an effective amount of an immunoglobulin composition comprising concentrated immunologically active immunoglobulins. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim  43  wherein said immunoglobulin composition further comprises a carrier. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim  44  wherein said carrier comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a carbohydrate and a lipid, wherein said carbohydrate is capable of being an energy source for said beneficial human intestinal microorganism and said lipid aids in reconstitution of said immunoglobulin composition. 
     
     
       46. The method of claim  45  wherein said carbohydrate comprises maltodextrin and said lipid comprises lecithin. 
     
     
       47. The method of claim  46  wherein said immunoglobulin composition is purified from a source selected from the group consisting of milk, milk products, and whey. 
     
     
       48. The method of claim  47  wherein said source is bovine. 
     
     
       49. The method of claim  43  wherein the effective amount of the beneficial human intestinal microorganism is about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, the effective amount of soluble dietary fiber is about 40% to about 60% by weight, and the effective amount of immunoglobulin composition is about 40% to about 60% by weight. 
     
     
       50. The method of claim  30  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.1000% of lactoferrin and about 0 to about 10% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid, its nutritionally acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       51. The method of claim  43  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.1000% of lactoferrin and about 0 to about 10% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid, its nutritionally acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       52. The method of claim  51  comprising about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of a member selected from the group consisting of gluconic acid, its nutritionally acceptable salts, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       53. The method of claim  30  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       54. The method of claim  43  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim  50  further comprising about 0.0001to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim  51  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim  52  further comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0500% by weight of thiocyanate salt and about 0 to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim  57  comprising about 0.0001% to about 0.0300% by weight of lactoperoxidase. 
     
     
       59. The method of claim  30  wherein said step of orally administering said bacteria- and fiber-containing composition modulates infection by a pathogenic microorganism that results in gastrointestinal stress. 
     
     
       60. The method of claim  59  wherein said pathogenic microorganism is selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.